"Thor, so nice to see you" Loki hissed sarcastically, still gripping your sides tight.

"Likewise brother.....I suppose it was only a matter of time before I caught up to you. I knew you would slip up eventually, allowing me to finally get to you in time before you flee to another part of midguard"

"Flee? ....I never flee.. I just get bored with these mere mortals quickly" Loki said amused.

"You run Brother, that's what you always do. Run from the place you reside in, leaving it in ruin with troubles and chaos. Resetting all law and order to your own unjust rules"

You listen intently at what he says. His words sounding familiar.

"Well, midgardian law is too soft. These minescule creatures need to be showed the way, need to be guided and punished accordingly"

Thor scoffed "Oh come Loki, you don't guide, you command. You contort their minds easily, swaying them to do as you bid for your own pleasure. Then leave them just as they start to worship you, moving on to your next target. I can already sense you've controlled this town long enough with law and order already changed to how you want it. I'm actually surprised you've not left already"

You were shocked, your mind whirring with each word he said. Is this what Loki does, invade, control, and cause unrest then move on to another town to start all over again?

Am I just a play thing that kept him occupied while he took pleasure in causing chaos? Was he planning on leaving me? And how many other women has he tricked into making them fall in love with him before ditching them.

You felt crushed and deceived, and your heart plummeted to the pit of your stomach.

Loki suddenly looked away from Thor and directly at you. He overheard what you were thinking, and peered at you with hurt in his eyes.

You gave him an imploring gaze in return, wanting answers desperately to save yourself from becoming hopeless.

"Let her go Loki, you are clearly hurting her. Release her mind, stop controlling her for your own sick pleasures" Thor said, trying to appeal to Loki's better nature.

Loki snapped his head back to Thor, infuriated with his demand to let you go.

"Come to me Mina, I will help you. Try to free yourself from him and walk over to me" Thor motioned with his hand, beckoning you to come.

Your mind was a complete mess, and you had no idea what was going on. Yet, no matter how little you knew him, you could sense the genuineness and warmth that radiated from his enormous frame.

You understood from their conversation that he was Loki's brother, but as brothers they seemed so indifferent.

Unlike Loki, who was more complex in person, Thor seemed straightforward. He was easily read, and what you feel just being in his proximity is that there is no secret side to his character, no shifts in mood or deviant thoughts that could surface at any time.

Though your heart is racing, you remain motionless in Loki's arms. You quiet your mind, in the vain hope that Loki won't be able to pick up on your thoughts.

Loki suddenly spun you around, and forced you to face him. His expression began with a look of desperation and sorrow, but as he looked deep into your eyes, probing for your innermost thoughts, it transformed into rage. He was furious you chose this moment to close your mind, and that you had done so with ease. You locked him out and he didn't like it.

He released his grip and pushed you away, leaving you staggering in the direction of Thor.

"Fine, have her!" he growls.

You stood halfway between the two brothers, feeling rejected, and used. You couldn't believe Loki could toss you away so easily.

You turned around to face him, your eyes welling up with tears, "You said you loved me!" you yelled, your expression flushed with intense feeling.

"Come here Mina, move away from him" Thor urges, holding out his hand for you to take.

You flit your head back to Thor, his soft nature was so alluring. He looked like pure comfort and you were in dire need of it.

Loki was extremely angry and bitter. He was filled with a furious storm of jealousy that seemed to emanate from every pore of his body. Even if he couldn't read your mind, your reaction indicated that you gave Thor's comments serious thought.

"YOU WERE NOTHING MORE THAN A MORTAL WHORE!" Loki's voice was deafening.

An outburst of shock causes you to gasp as all the air rushes from your lungs. Your entire body shook uncontrollably, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to support your own weight.

Your whole world came crashing down as your thoughts doubting if Loki loved you were answered in such an evil way. Your resolve crumbled when your knees finally caved, and you began to cry inconsolably, feeling rejected by the one you loved so fiercely.

You were just minutes ago resting in Loki's arms, laughing and smiling together, feeling at ease and completely loved. How did you end up in this position where you feel so abused and unwanted?

You despised the way the total despair made you feel, and being weak and helpless was something you loathed about yourself, so you opted to become numb instead.

You dried your eyes and got up. Your whole demeanour shifted from that of a lovesick, lost girl to that of a cold, wounded woman in command.

You made eye contact with Loki, and he observed a blank expression on your face. He was startled that you had gone from warm to cold so quickly.

You opened your mind and allowed your thoughts to be heard.

"I don't want your name. Remove it" your inner dialogue sounded sharp, and heartless.

You were expecting Loki to approach you and remove his name. But he disobeyed both your request and your stern command.

"Remove it!" you shout, now using your voice.

Loki initially looked at Thor, who was watching him with interest, before turning to you, amused, "I will never remove it, why would I waste my time doing so. I mark every women I have had. It is a way to identify who I've made my personal slut, as you are all so forgetful" he sneers.

His words struck like a hammer blow, shattering the numbing facade you had constructed.

"You don't mean that! I was more to you, I felt it" you burst out a scream, abandoning the tough persona you were portraying.

"You were my latest conquest, the little bookworm who loved to read explicit material. Pretending to be outspoken about sex and love when I knew deep down you were shy and inexperienced," he chuckled darkly, "I only sought you out so I could stretch your virgin hole, to make your heart mine just so I could watch you break in front of me when I deserted you" he morphed his face into a serious expression, "I am a god, a divine being, and you mere mortal girl, are beneath me. Only fit to bow, worship and suck my cock"

A wave of sickness swept over you, making you feel ill to your stomach. As you fought for air, the room started to dizzily spin and you fall back to your knees, gasping for breath.

Deep breaths Mina, just take deep breaths.

You try to clear your head and calm down, but instead, fury overpowers your anxiety. Your resentment for him drove you to hide any signs of weakness you would otherwise have given out. You stand up from where you've been kneeling and march angrily over to Thor.

As if to object, Loki took a hurried step forward but then immediately retracted his foot.

You reach Thor and pull down your dress just enough to expose Loki's name branded into your skin, and firmly ask, "Can you remove this?"

As Thor looked at the name Loki engraved into your flesh, the normally placid expression on his face changed to one of shock and horror.

He stares angrily at his brother and exclaims, "Loki, what have you done?"

"Forget him! I'm asking you a question! Can you remove it?"

Thor's eyes met yours with a mournful expression.

"Please, please remove it," your voice wavered.

"He can't remove it! Only I can!" he declares, "you are stuck with my name whether you want it or not" his powerful voice can be heard from the other side of the room.

You felt sick to your stomach that a symbol you thought was of love, was actually a branding of one of his whores. You gave Loki a death gaze, but he showed no emotion in return. He was an unholy trickster who fooled you, and you berated yourself for being so easily manipulated.

"There are ways to remove ugly scars, don't underestimate me. I will rid of your name, just as you so easily rid of me" you say full of malice.

For a brief moment, you believe you see some shame sweep over Loki's features. But it was quickly gone, and replaced with more rage when Thor took hold of your hand.

"My lady Mina, I'm so sorry for what my brother has put you through" his voice was sincere, his hand soft, "This is what he does, what he always has done. He cannot be trusted." He stated sternly, "But be reassured, he will not bother you anymore. I will take him back to Asgard and he will be punished accordingly"

"Take him back to Asgard to be punished?" you repeat in a hushed tone, not intending to sound so upset.

Despite the whispered volume, Loki caught every word and stared at you in surprise. Nonetheless, this came as no shock to Thor.

"Yes my lady, you won't see him ever again, he will be out of your life forever. You won't set eyes on him, you won't hear him, you won't touch him. It will be as if he never existed. It is just up to you to forget the terrible memories of him"

It seemed as though Thor had chosen his words carefully to provoke a response. He was manipulating your emotions on purpose and you didn't know why he was doing it.

You knew you shouldn't feel a deep loss, not after Loki's harsh words. Yet you couldn't help but feel a sudden grief overwhelm you at the thought of losing Loki.

He will be permanently gone.

You dropped your tough demeanour, suddenly unable to conceal your feelings. If Loki were to be taken away, you couldn't just leave things like this.

You free your hand from Thor's hold and glance over at Loki. He looked at you sceptically, unable to believe that you had actually separated yourself from Thor. And unexpectedly you saw the sad and vacant look in his eyes transform into a warm, inviting emotion, that beckoned you closer.

You ran at full speed and slammed into his waiting arms, encircling his body. You cried as your head remained buried in the hollow of his neck, your hushed mutterings barely audible, but he knew you were pleading with him not to abandon you.

His gentle arms surrounded your waist, and you raised your head from the comfort of his neck to see his eyes full of shame.

"Loki, search my eyes and you will see that I love you, that I will always love you," you say fighting back sobs, "I want your name, I want you, Even—even as your whore, as your mortal play thing, I can't lose you"

Your pleadings for Loki to stay didn't surprise Thor, who had been watching the passionate display. He saw through your fake toughness all along and intentionally played on your feelings in hopes it would rouse Loki's real emotions. Thor understood that Loki's harsh treatment towards you was part of a masterful plan to deter him from you.

Loki looked at Thor, defeat written all over his face, and then he looked at you, astonished that you would tolerate being nothing more than his whore if it meant keeping him in your life.

He drew you closer, his eyes desperate and frantic, "Mina, why? Why didn't you just leave. Why couldn't you have stormed off, and not looked back. You should have been mad, angry. You should have hated me! I needed you to leave—to be safe"

You furrow your brows, feeling confused yet again, "I don't understand Loki, did you mean all those bad words towards me, do you love me?" you enquire in a state of annoyance.

"My hurtful words towards you meant nothing, I didn't mean it, I swear," he declared, "I'm so sorry kitten, I promise you, my cruel words were not from my heart—you are my everything. Why else would I have your name marked on me. You, my darling girl, own my heart. For you are the greatest love of my life, and I know I am undeserving of you, yet I need you. You are the best thing that has ever been mine, and I am so thankful for your existence, whether I am apart of it or not—please forgive me"

Loki's pitiful eyes pleaded with you as he rambled his apologies, unashamedly begging you in front of Thor for forgiveness, and putting aside his humiliation.

"No, you have to be a part of it, I won't live without you!" you now sob, "We are two hearts beating as one remember! bound and tethered together, always, Loki!"

When Thor overheard what you were saying, he immediately broke his silence.

"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break because you are bound and tethered—you are fated"

You appear bewildered by Thor's statements, while Loki seems infuriated by them. Lily was clear Loki knew something that you were not aware of.

"I'm not surprised you repeat similar words my lady, the words of the ancient gods" Thor stated, shifting his focus from you to Loki, "I knew she was the one Loki, I could sense it strongly as I stood outside those doors. Thats why you tried to push her away with your dishonest and spiteful words. Do you think you could fool me into believing she was nothing to you. You forget, I heard clearly your confession. You yelled up to Asgard—shouted to me. Confessing your love for Mina."

The room was suddenly silent when Thor paused, and an expression of deep sadness spread across his face. He grew apprehensive about continuing to speak, but feeling compelled to, in a low tone, he finally spoke, "You know I have to take her, don't you?"

You felt panic grasp your body and confusion rush through your mind.

Take me, take me where, why?

You gripped Loki tight, and he manoeuvred himself in front of you, pushing you behind him in a protective pose.

His face was clouded with wrath unlike any you've seen before, and it almost seemed as though his features had altered as well. You blinked twice, believing you saw a bluish tint to his complexion, but it was gone just as fast, and you were left bewildered. However, an icy chill appeared to emanate from him, and you felt the coolness all around his proximity.

"You will never take her!" Each of Loki's growled words spat from his mouth with venomous intent.

"Now now brother, warm up. No need to get all frosty. I have no choice but to take her, our father awaits"